AM: 5k turkey trot (Marietta Gobble Jog) in Atlanta, 16:05 for 5th, 8 miles total plus core work at home
Like I said before, today was just a rust buster, so I accomlished that much, even if I was a full minute behind the winner. This was just 8 seconds away from my track PR, so considering I didn't run a step for four weeks, basically all of October, I suppose I can't complain too much. Moreover, I haven't run faster than a 5:30 mile or anything resembling a "real" workout in about two months.
It was an interesting course, and I mixed it up with some collegiates and local guys. Two compontents were definitely lacking: hill strength, which doesn't surprise me given I've only resumed weight-bearing exercise for about four weeks now, and speed (which I've never really had, anyway!).
The course was pretty average--a rolling first mile, a second mile that was nearly entirely uphill, and a last mile that was downhill for the first half before hitting one last uphill with about 800m out, and then flat to the finish.
I didn't have much of a shot at the leader. I went out in second place through the first mile in 4:55, and he was at least 10-15 seconds in front of me. At about mile 1.5, a group of three caught me, and I spent the rest of the race hanging on to them. This is where my absence of speed definitely showed its ugly head.
My splits were all over the place, given the nature of the course. Like I said, 4:55 for the first mile, and hit two miles in 10:38. I was horrifed at this point, thinking I had totally blown up on the long uphill. Fortunately, I stuck to the group in front of me, regaining composure and hitting 3 miles in 15:29. My guess is that the markers were a bit off, but even so, I held it together enough to run my last mile about as fast as my first.
Since this is really the "beginning" of my winter/spring season, I have to think this is a sign of good things to come, given how much running I've missed over the last two months (Needless to say, I'm now a pool-running convert. It works.) The winner today has run in the 14:30s this fall, but was only 15:02 on the course today.
I may be in better shape than I think. Depending on how the next few weeks go, I might be able to set some more ambitious goals this spring. I race again in two weeks at a pancake-flat 10k in DC. If there will be some people to run with, I don't think it's unreasonable to threaten my PR there.
Like I said before, today was just a rust buster, so I accomlished that much, even if I was a full minute behind the winner. This was just 8 seconds away from my track PR, so considering I didn't run a step for four weeks, basically all of October, I suppose I can't complain too much. Moreover, I haven't run faster than a 5:30 mile or anything resembling a "real" workout in about two months.
It was an interesting course, and I mixed it up with some collegiates and local guys. Two compontents were definitely lacking: hill strength, which doesn't surprise me given I've only resumed weight-bearing exercise for about four weeks now, and speed (which I've never really had, anyway!).
The course was pretty average--a rolling first mile, a second mile that was nearly entirely uphill, and a last mile that was downhill for the first half before hitting one last uphill with about 800m out, and then flat to the finish.
I didn't have much of a shot at the leader. I went out in second place through the first mile in 4:55, and he was at least 10-15 seconds in front of me. At about mile 1.5, a group of three caught me, and I spent the rest of the race hanging on to them. This is where my absence of speed definitely showed its ugly head.
My splits were all over the place, given the nature of the course. Like I said, 4:55 for the first mile, and hit two miles in 10:38. I was horrifed at this point, thinking I had totally blown up on the long uphill. Fortunately, I stuck to the group in front of me, regaining composure and hitting 3 miles in 15:29. My guess is that the markers were a bit off, but even so, I held it together enough to run my last mile about as fast as my first.
Since this is really the "beginning" of my winter/spring season, I have to think this is a sign of good things to come, given how much running I've missed over the last two months (Needless to say, I'm now a pool-running convert. It works.) The winner today has run in the 14:30s this fall, but was only 15:02 on the course today.
I may be in better shape than I think. Depending on how the next few weeks go, I might be able to set some more ambitious goals this spring. I race again in two weeks at a pancake-flat 10k in DC. If there will be some people to run with, I don't think it's unreasonable to threaten my PR there.
P.S. That is my old high school coach on the left giving me a quick pre-race pep-talk. Man, did that bring back some old memories!
1 comment:
Looks like you are in great shape Patrick. Take it easy on the leg and come back safely. Your cross training has paid off.
- Klim
Post a Comment